Odd Warbler - Cheam Wetlands

[Dave]

A late afternoon walk produced several Yellow Warblers and this odd looking fellow. I would call this a Wilson's Warbler, but do they often have this smudging all over their face? Is this an immature?

Advice from the more knowledgable, please










Thanks in advance for your comments!

Dave Beeke

[Gord]

Dave

Good work on getting pictures of this odd bird. I agree with you on the Wilson's warbler assessment, but there is no denying this is an odd bird! I checked with female hooded warbler as that's the other closest bird to this one. I have no personal experience with hooded warbler, but my research shows dark lores (part between eye and beak) and white sides of the tail similar to a junco and white undertail. This bird has an all dark tail and broad yellow lores and, aside from some weird plumage around the face, has Wilson's warbler shape and 'feel'. I think most first summer immature warblers look fairly similar to adults but are a little drabber.

Good work again though. Had this been a rarity, you'd have nailed it!!!

[Dave]

Thanks for the comments, Gord.

I thought about a Hooded as well, but I tried all my books and none gave me hope about it. It has a distinct Wilson's Cap, and the colouring is Wilson's. Maybe it just flew out of somone's dirty chimney!

I did see quite a few Wilson's Warblers yesterday on the creek side trail, so my instinct was Wilson's. It was hanging out in the low vegetation at the beginning of the Loop Trail. Yellow Warblers were making a racket above it, and some Goldfinches were there too. I considered a Goldfinch for a few seconds, but that would take some pretty intense reconstructive surgery, including a new beak.

I agree on the Wilson's, has anyone else seen these kind of markings on Wilson's before?

Dave